BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a5265c398476 DTSTART:20240909T120000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20240909T150000Z LOCATION:Online\, SUMMARY:Webinar on advancing consumer dispute resolution in the digital age CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:In an era characterized by rapid digital transformation and glo balization\, the need for effective consumer protection and dispute resolu tion mechanisms is increasingly critical.Access to effective dispute resol ution and redress mechanisms are a legitimate need of consumers\, as recog nized by the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection1 (UNGCP). A ccording to the guidelines\, dispute resolution and redress mechanisms sho uld be delivered to consumers in a fair\, affordable\, and speedy way whil st protecting related consumer rights throughout the process.UN Trade and Development World consumer protection map indicates that 38 per cent of co untries have cross-border out-of-court alternative consumer dispute resolu tion. It is worth noting that several consumer protection agencies facilit ate cross-border consumer dispute resolution as a case-by-case modality. M oreover\, only 34 per cent have cooperation agreement on dispute resolutio n.  At the eight sessions of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Co nsumer Protection Law and Policy\, member States have adopted a Declaratio n proposed by the Dominican Republic on cross-border dispute resolution an d redress for consumers. The Declaration emphasizes the importance of effe ctive mechanisms for resolving consumer disputes\, particularly in cross-b order electronic commerce.Recognizing this need\, UN Trade and Development has spearheaded research and policy development to enhance frameworks for Consumer Dispute Resolution (CDR). This webinar launches two publications that address these issues: "\;Consumer Dispute Resolution in the Worl d"\; and "\;Technology and the Future of Online Resolution Platfor ms for Consumer Protection Agencies."\;These publications are timely a nd pivotal\, addressing the urgent need for innovative and inclusive consu mer dispute resolution mechanisms. As digital commerce continues to grow\, and as global crises reshape market dynamics\, the need for robust\, tran sparent\, and accessible dispute resolution systems becomes more crucial. These systems not only protect consumer rights but also build trust in dig ital and global marketplaces\, fostering a fair and equitable economic lan dscape.The webinar will delve into the immediate future of online dispute resolution for consumers sharing initiatives and needs of UNCTAD member St ates and partners. A proposal for a technical cooperation project will be presented and discussed to chart the next steps in advancing consumer disp ute resolution in the digital age.---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------1. UNGCP\, General Assembl y resolution 70/186 of 22 December 2015. Available at: https://unctad.org/ en/Pages/DITC/ Competition Law/UN-Guidelines-on-Consumer-Protection. Parag raph 5 : “The legitimate needs which the guidelines are intended to meet are the following: […] (g) Availability of effective consumer dispute r esolution and redress.---------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------Meeting Registration - Zoomhttps://unc tad.org/system/files/official-document/tcsditcinf2023d5_en.pdf\n\nView mee ting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/webinar-advancing-consumer- dispute-resolution-digital-age DTSTAMP:20260711T154819Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR